The Monthly Reel
An Array of Films
The good Professor Kaufmann and I had schedules that kept us away from the theatre more than we’d like this past month.
That said, we’ve still covered an array of films, so we hope you’ll find something that strikes your fancy. Without a doubt there are a couple of titles this month that are not for everyone. Those who can’t quite stomach extreme violence may want to steer clear of Fury and The Equalizer. The performance driven, by-the-book family drama, The Judge, or the Bill Murray comedy-drama St. Vincent may be more suited to the squeamish.
Other reviews for your consideration are Among the Tombstones (a Liam Neeson action flick that may have left theatres by the time this issue comes out, but a film that Chip thinks is worth renting when it comes out on DVD), and Laggies (which opens November 7), a comedy directed by Lynn Shelton (Your Sister’s Sister) about “learning to act your age and other adult decisions.”
Unfortunately not reviewed by press time but right up the alley of some of our readers is Pride, a Brit comedy-drama about a bunch of gay activists who set out to help a group of striking coal miners in 1984 Great Britain. Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton lead a great cast. The film promises to be one of the most uplifting, crowd-pleasers of the year. See it at the Fine Arts Theatre while you can. Other smaller titles coming soon to a theatre near you include Whiplash, Birdman and Foxcatcher. This month’s bigger titles include Interstellar, The Theory of Everything and Mockingjay Part 1.
The Asheville Film Society (AFS) and the Hendersonville Film Society (HFS) have some great offerings this month as well. AFS kicks off on November 4 with David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, a film that rocked my world when it came out. It was the first time artistry and empathy combined cinematically to make a profound impact on my young teenage mind. AFS continues the month with The Magic Christian, Fritz Lang’s Ministry of Fear and John Ford’s Judge Priest.
I’ll be heading down to Hendersonville on November 9 to see HFS’s presentation of The Red Pony; I’ve been smitten with Aaron Copland’s beloved score since I was a kid, and I’ve never seen the John Steinbeck classic on the big screen. It’ll be an all-American treat. HFS will also present Dante’s Inferno, Joyeux Noel, The Day Carl Sandberg Died and Gigot in November.
Until next month, enjoy!